In 2024, price levels for household final consumption expenditure differed widely across the EU. The highest price levels for household consumption were recorded in Denmark (143% of the EU average), Ireland (138%) and Luxembourg (133%). Meanwhile, the lowest levels were registered in Bulgaria (60%), Romania (64%) and Poland (72%). This information comes from data on price level indices published by Eurostat. The article presents a handful of findings from the more detailed Statistics Explained article on comparative price levels of consumer goods and services. Widest price gap for alcohol and tobacco In 2024, the price level for alcohol and tobacco was 3 times higher in Ireland (205% of the EU average), the most expensive country in this respect, than in Bulgaria (69%), the least costly. Following Ireland, high price levels for alcohol and tobacco were also recorded in Finland (175%) and France (137%). On the other hand, besides Bulgaria, low levels were also observed in Poland and Slovakia (both 83%). This large price variation is mainly due to differences in taxation on these products. Restaurants and hotels ranked second in terms of price level difference, with the highest price levels registered in Denmark (148% of the EU average), Ireland (129%) and Finland (127%). Bulgaria (53%), Romania (69%) and Hungary (72%) recorded the lowest price levels. Clothing ranked third in terms of price level variation, with the highest clothing prices found in Denmark (133%), Sweden and Finland (both 120%), while the least expensive were in Bulgaria (79%), Hungary and Romania (both 85%). Disparities were also recorded for food and non-alcoholic beverages (varying from 76% of the EU average in Romania to 125% in Luxembourg), personal transport equipment (varying from 89% in Slovakia to 120% in Denmark) and consumer electronics (ranging from 89% in Italy to 115% in Finland). Methodological notes Data presented in this news article are based on the results of a price survey covering more than 2 000 consumer goods and services across Europe. The overall price levels included relate to the concept of household final consumption expenditure and selected subcategories.
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